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The initial evaluation should establish the seizure type(s) within the framework of the seizure classification of the International League Against Epilepsy (2). This determination has important implications for the selection of AEDs and requires a thorough history from the patient and observers with close attention to descriptions of actual seizures. Many patients experience more than one type of seizure - for example, complex partial and secondary generalized (3). Directed questions are often epilepsy, seizure necessary to probe for identification of seizure triggers such as sleep deprivation, epilepsy, seizure alcohol intake, and stress, since measures to limit exposure to these triggers may successfully augment AED.
Electroencephalograms are useful to confirm the diagnosis of epilepsy, but may be normal in more than 50% of patients with epilepsy. Similarly, magnetic resonance imaging studies are helpful to rule out cortical dysplasias, infarcts or tumors, but are usually normal. epilepsy, seizures
Initial Treatment
Before epilepsy, seizures therapy begins, the physician should enlist the epilepsy, seizures cooperation of the patient and family members in monitoring seizure frequency and severity. Encouraging the patient to track seizures, stress, menses and medications on a calendar often helps to demonstrate whether seizures correlate with stress or menses, and to monitor compliance epilepsy, seizure with the AED regimen. In addition, if the patient experiences potential side effects, he epilepsy, seizure can record the time of day.